thought I'd start a thread bout our backers and see what y'all think; this is our most solid unit and probably our best since the Lloyd-Brown-etal of the 90s group.
1. James Harrison-(A+); Despite what most morons seem to believe, he did not have a dropoff last year and was a total monster again. His sack total(which is how idiots totally base their assessments of lbs) did drop because; 1;he was dropped into coverage far too many times, 2; he was held at least 30 times without a call, 3; he played the latter part of the season with one arm, 4; he was double, or triple teamed frequently, 5; our secondary sucked so bad he didn't have time to get to qb. If you really watch him, he is the total package; pass coverage, run stuffer and sacker. He chases every play sideline to sideline and no one ever runs by him without physical impairment. Of course his hits rank there with the best in the history of the nfl.
2. Lamarr Woodley-(B+); right now, he is nowhere in James' class but he is better than Harrison was at the same age, so his improvement can certainly catapult him. In spite of his girth, he is not as tough against the run as you would hope. He needs to shed blocks better and use his muscle better. His pass rushing seems to come and go. It was nonexistent early last year, then as dominant as anyone in the nfl later in the year. He looked invisible in preseason, let's hope he cranks it up as the season progresses.
3.Lawrence Timmons-(B-); His grade is based on his inconsistences of the last couple years, He was excellent in pass coverage and the occasional pass rush but weak against the run. His inability to shed blocks and diagnose run plays had me really questioning his long term viability. The new improved 2010 version of Larry is startling. He put on 20 pounds of muscle and likewise seems to have added grey matter. This preseason showed him shedding blockers with total abandon and reading plays like a master. I'm excited that he may have the most upside of our backers and actually be the best inside linebacker in football.
4. James Farrior-(C-); Until last year he was probably a steady B+ to A- type of player, but he got heavy and couldn't cover backs or tight ends and really hurt our D. He dropped the weight and actually looked solid in preseason, let's hope he doesn't go down hill too fast.
5. Keyaron Fox-(C); Probably should be the starter, would on many other teams. Gets and A in stuffing the run, but not as solid in pass coverage. Gives us solid depth should a starter go down.
6. Larry Foote-(C-); Was a solid starter for us but looked weak last year and even worse in preseason. If he was 35 it would make sense but he should still be in his prime. Supposedly, his role is filling in for Timmons if one of the outside guys goes down and Timmons has to slide to the outside.
7. Stevenson Sylvester-(INcomplete); Never heard of him when we drafted him, but was amused that Tomlin almost jerked off talking him up on draft day. Clearly has immense upside and expect him to learn this year and start next.
8. Jason Worilds-(Inc); Couldn't believe we drafted him in round two-thought he was a round four project. Never saw him play in college; only saw clips of games and workouts. His play in camp and preseason has me worried that he will be Bruce Davis' roomate in another year or two.
9. Thaddeus Gibson-(Inc); Couldn't believe he slipped to round four, I wanted him in round two. Seems like a Harrison/Woodley hybrid. Give him a year or two of solid steeler lb training and another monster is on the way.

Farrior is the clear leader of our Defense people. When he goes out our defense has no one out there to lead like he does. Just ask Mike Tomlin who said last week on Sirius Radio that he is the Best Leader he has ever been associated with coaching . . that says alot to me. I know he may be slowing down just a little, but he still makes plays and is still one of the top ILB's in the game in my opinion.

__________________Proud To Say I Am A Sinner Saved By The Grace of God...May God Truly Bless Each and Everyone of You...Proud Veteran of Steeler Nation for Over 30 Years and The 6 Time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers

Harrison; Started out playing A to A-. Second half of season was very disappointing(for him). Either he was playing injured, ill(as reported) or teams have figured out how to slow him down, he was not the dynamic playmaker that he has always been. Middle of the season, I thought he was the nfl defensive player of the year, but not the second half(ok it Troy, but still). Would only give him a B+ for the year, which is great for most backers in the nfl but an insult for him.

Woodley; Have to be harsh here, he just didn't bring it enough to warrant anything over a B-. I would only give him that because he did make key splash plays but most of the season, he was invisible. I think we all expected a really big season from him with something like 15 sacks. When Smith went down, so did Lamarr's production.

timmons; another first half/second half story. A+ player in the first half, probably best inside backer in football. B+ second half as he resorted to his old style of overrunning plays and missing tackles. Don't know what the story is.

Farrier; B- player in the first half, which is much better than he was last year, then A- in the second half-clearly our best backer at the end of the season.

Foote- yeah, right! Get a new career lined up for next year.

Worilds and Sylvester; Special teams demons and looked like they had something the few times we actually saw them as backers. Not sure if they are ever going to step in and supplant any starters though.

Gibson; Haven't seen him with the niners and don't want to. Would rather have him than Mcclendon.

James Harrison- After being fined so heavily this year he has toned it down the second half. Also, he gets held about every blitz. Drives me crazy to think if our o-line was able to hold like that. But Harrison is blacklisted and I hope he gets off Goodells s-list. Or better yet Goodell just gets fired like he should.

LaMarr Woodley- I think more attention has come his way and he still has been consistent. He also is playing great in the run game. I would like to lock him up to a long term deal.

Lawrence Timmons- Has really developed into a premier ILB. He is what Farrior was five years ago. Again lets lock up this young guy for a long time.

James Farrior- Has played at a very high level for a long time. I think he has one more year in him.

Stevenson Sylvester- He is the future at ILB. One more year to learn from one of the best and he'll step right on the field for Farrior with no loss maybe even a gain at play.

Larry Foote- He was a nice insurance policy if Farrior got hurt and Sylvester was a bust. But neither happened so see you in Arizona Foote.

Jason Worilds- Looks to be a nice pass rusher. I am not sure he can transition to OLB might end up being a pass rush specialist on passing downs. But no matter what he is not the Alonzo Jackson I thought he'd end up being.

Thaddeus Gibson- I have a feeling we will kick ourselves in the BUTT for not putting Smith on IR to get back that roster spot to protect Gibson. I saw the Rams game where he was a special teams stud.